CWO4 Rufus Lewis Gibbs, Jr.

"I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. (John 11:25-26)

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. On June 20, 2025, Rufus Lewis Gibbs, Jr. left this earthly life to go to his eternal home. Rufus was born in Charleston, South Carolina on March 14, 1951 to the parents of Rufus Gibbs, Sr. and Marie Grant Gibbs. Rufus was one of seven children, four whom, along with his parents, have preceded him in death. They are Dorothy Haynes, David Grant, Sr., William Gibbs and Carolyn Elizabeth Gibbs.

Rufus spent his early childhood under the tutelage of his grandfather, Pastor Grant, as his mother passed when Rufus was very young. His high school years were spent in the loving home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Watson. Mrs. Victoria, whom he affectionately called Auntie, loved him dearly and he lived with her throughout his high school years.

While at Bonds Wilson High School, Rufus enjoyed being in the glee club and the band. He loved music of all genres and was blessed with a melodic singing voice. Barry White was one of his favorite singers and he thought that Barry had nothing on him.

Rufus held numerous jobs during his high school years in Charleston. He was a school bus driver, and worked in a club, and at a gas station. He had good work ethics and frowned upon laziness.

After high school, Rufus, enlisted in the United States Navy. Soon after, he married Joann Brown Gibbs. From that union came two beautiful children, Stephanie Gibbs Pinkney, his first born and Russell Gibbs, his devoted son. Rufus later married Melisa Gibbs. From that union two more beautiful children were born, his loving and caring son Rashad and his youngest daughter Annastasia Gibbs.

Rufus enlisted in the United States Navy in 1971. After many years, numeral medals and awards and bountiful experiences, he retired in 1999 as a Chief Warrant Officer 04. He enjoyed every minute of his career and considered it one of his greatest accomplishments. There was hardly a conversation that didn't include a story, a long story, about his days on a ship or a submarine. He crossed many seas and toured several countries around the world. Along life's journey, he met many friends that remained close to him throughout his life.

Rufus loved cooking. Some of his all-time favorite dishes wre his red rice, packed with sausage, onion and peppers. His grandchildren absolutely loved his chicken and vegetables with orange sauce over rice. He also liked to prepare lima beans with pig tails and neck bones over rice (of course). His wife, Vernettia, shared that with her church family at a Taste of Blackness event for Black History Month. It gave Rufus great pleasure to see others enjoy his dishes.

After retirement, and by then living in Suffolk, Virginia, he met and married the lovely Vernettia Ash. There were no children born to this union, but he was welcomed into a large loving family that included Vernettia's daughter, Shenita Rawls and son Lemuel Rawls, all who will miss him dearly.

Chief Warrant Officer Gibbs leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Vernettia Ash Rawls Gibbs; four children, Stephanie Gibbs Pinkney (Tramaine), Russell Gibbs, Rashad Gibbs and Annastasia Gibbs; eight grandchildren, Shaniece Gibbs, Shalyia Gibbs, Shaquille Gibbs, Shakeem Gibbs, Shaniya Gibbs, Sage Gibbs, Sade Gibbs and Arianna Wilson; five great grandchildren, Shylo Gibbs, Britian Gibbs, Aarron Roberts, Jr., Storee Roberts and Navy Gibbs; brother, Solomon Greene and sister, Diane Gibbs; a favorite niece, Linda Pinkney; a host of other relatives and friends.

A viewing will be held 12-6 p.m. Sunday, July 6, 2025 in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel of Crocker Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be held 11 a.m. Monday, July 7, 2025 at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, 6100 Holy Neck Road, Suffolk, Virginia 23437. He will be laid to rest in Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery with full Military Honors. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc.